Malawians baffled at Madonna’s strange “running machine”…oh and she loses adoption battle

Is it a surprise to anyone (other than the people of Malawi) that Madonna had her treadmills flown half way across the world to an impoverished country so she wouldn’t miss out on her workout routine (hello, you’re in the middle of nature’s best running trails)? The people of the area she was trying to kidnap a child from don’t even have the luxury of electricity and to them Madonna’s treadmill was a culture shock. A worker at Kumbali lodge in Lilongwe commented: “In Malawi most people do not even know what a gym is. Our staff are fascinated by the fact you can run but not go anywhere on a treadmill. They say, ‘What is the point?’”

But it seems the child’s grandmother might have put a spell on the evil white lady and her stupid running device because yesterday Madonna fell of the treadmill and sprained her ankle. The same worker said: “There was a bang and she came suddenly flying off the back of the running machine. She looked hurt.” Nice…Malawians 1, Madge 0.

And as it turns out , the pop star will not be allowed to adopt three-year-old Mercy James, ruled the High Court in the capital, Lilongwe. Court registrar Ken Manda said the singer’s bid to adopt the girl – previously believed to be aged four – had been rejected because Madonna is not a resident of Malawi.

Madonna mind you, was so certain she would be allowed to adopt Mercy that she bought her a ticket for a flight to New York on Saturday. Natives 2, Madonna 0. Yes, that’s how we like a good game to end.

Check out pictures of Madonna “allowing” her adopted son’s biological father Yohane Banda meet his son since separating with him in October of 2006.